Patentable/Patents/US-9660541
US-9660541

Switching power supply device

PublishedMay 23, 2017
Assigneenot available in USPTO data we have
Inventorsnot available in USPTO data we have
Technical Abstract

A switching power supply device includes a switching control circuit that generates a switching control signal such that a desired output voltage is generated from an input voltage, a drive circuit that turns on/off an output transistor in accordance with the switching control signal, and an on-pulse stop circuit that generates a pulse stop signal such that the number of ON pulses of the switching control signal is reduced in a state where a load is heavier than a first threshold but is lighter than a second threshold.

Patent Claims
16 claims

Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.

Claim 1

Original Legal Text

1. A switching power supply device comprising: a switching control circuit that generates a switching control signal such that a desired voltage is generated as an output voltage from an input voltage; a drive circuit that turns on/off an output transistor in accordance with the switching control signal; and an on-pulse stop circuit that generates a pulse stop signal such that a number of ON pulses of the switching control signal is reduced in a state where a load is heavier than a first threshold but is lighter than a second threshold, wherein the on-pulse stop circuit generates the pulse stop signal by comparing a feedback voltage in accordance with the output voltage with a threshold voltage in accordance with a time average value of the feedback voltage, and wherein the on-pulse stop circuit generates the threshold voltage by multiplying the time average value of the feedback voltage by a coefficient that is lamer than zero but smaller than one.

Plain English Translation

A switching power supply regulates output voltage from a varying input. It uses a switching control circuit to create a switching signal driving a transistor on and off. An "on-pulse stop" circuit reduces the number of "on" pulses of the switching signal when the load is between two thresholds (not too heavy, not too light). This circuit compares a feedback voltage (representing the output voltage) to a threshold. The threshold is calculated by multiplying a time-averaged feedback voltage by a coefficient between 0 and 1. This adjusts the pulse skipping based on the average output voltage level.

Claim 2

Original Legal Text

2. The switching power supply device according to claim 1 , wherein the coefficient is adjustable by means of an external resistor.

Plain English Translation

The switching power supply described where an "on-pulse stop" circuit reduces the number of "on" pulses of the switching signal when the load is between two thresholds. This circuit compares a feedback voltage (representing the output voltage) to a threshold calculated by multiplying a time-averaged feedback voltage by a coefficient between 0 and 1 now has the added feature that the coefficient used in calculating the threshold can be adjusted using an external resistor. This allows for external control of the pulse skipping behavior.

Claim 3

Original Legal Text

3. The switching power supply device according to claim 2 , wherein, in a state where the load is lighter than the first threshold, the on-pulse stop circuit puts the pulse stop signal to a logic level taken at a time of pulse suspension such that the ON pulses of the switching control signal are suspended for a plurality of cycles.

Plain English Translation

The switching power supply that reduces "on" pulses using a feedback-derived threshold, where the threshold is adjustable with an external resistor, includes a special behavior when the load is very light. When the load is below the first threshold, the "on-pulse stop" circuit holds the pulse stop signal at its level from when the pulse was suspended. This effectively skips the "on" pulses for several cycles, reducing power consumption in light load conditions.

Claim 4

Original Legal Text

4. The switching power supply device according to claim 2 , wherein, in a state where the load is heavier than the second threshold, the on-pulse stop circuit puts the pulse stop signal to a logic level taken at a time of cancellation of pulse suspension such that the number of ON pulses of the switching control signal is not reduced.

Plain English Translation

The switching power supply that reduces "on" pulses using a feedback-derived threshold, where the threshold is adjustable with an external resistor, has a special behavior when the load is heavy. When the load is above the second threshold, the "on-pulse stop" circuit holds the pulse stop signal at its level from when pulse suspension was cancelled. This deactivates the pulse skipping, ensuring that all "on" pulses are generated to meet the heavy load demands.

Claim 5

Original Legal Text

5. The switching power supply device according to claim 2 , wherein the switching control circuit includes: an on-signal generation portion that generates an ON signal at a predetermined switching frequency; an off-signal generation portion that generates an OFF signal by means of output feedback control; a flip-flop that generates the switching control signal in accordance with the ON signal and the OFF signal; and a logic gate portion that masks the ON signal in accordance with the pulse stop signal.

Plain English Translation

The switching power supply that reduces "on" pulses using a feedback-derived threshold, where the threshold is adjustable with an external resistor, utilizes a specific switching control circuit. This circuit has: An "on-signal generation" section that creates "on" signals at a constant switching frequency. An "off-signal generation" section that generates "off" signals based on output feedback control. A flip-flop that combines the "on" and "off" signals to create the switching control signal. A logic gate that blocks the "on" signal if the "pulse stop" signal is active, preventing the transistor from turning on during the skipped pulses.

Claim 6

Original Legal Text

6. The switching power supply device according to claim 1 , wherein, in a state where the load is lighter than the first threshold, the on-pulse stop circuit puts the pulse stop signal to a logic level taken at a time of pulse suspension such that the ON pulses of the switching control signal are suspended for a plurality of cycles.

Plain English Translation

A switching power supply regulates output voltage and includes an "on-pulse stop" circuit that reduces the number of "on" pulses of a switching signal when the load is between two thresholds. When the load is lighter than a first threshold, the "on-pulse stop" circuit holds the pulse stop signal at its level from when the pulse was suspended. This effectively skips the "on" pulses for several cycles, reducing power consumption in light load conditions.

Claim 7

Original Legal Text

7. The switching power supply device according to claim 6 , wherein, in a state where the load is heavier than the second threshold, the on-pulse stop circuit puts the pulse stop signal to a logic level taken at a time of cancellation of pulse suspension such that the number of ON pulses of the switching control signal is not reduced.

Plain English Translation

The switching power supply with pulse skipping that holds the pulse stop signal at its suspension level during light loads further includes a behavior for heavy loads. When the load is heavier than the second threshold, the "on-pulse stop" circuit holds the pulse stop signal at its level from when pulse suspension was cancelled. This deactivates the pulse skipping, ensuring that all "on" pulses are generated to meet the heavy load demands.

Claim 8

Original Legal Text

8. The switching power supply device according to claim 6 , wherein the switching control circuit includes: an on-signal generation portion that generates an ON signal at a predetermined switching frequency; an off-signal generation portion that generates an OFF signal by means of output feedback control; a flip-flop that generates the switching control signal in accordance with the ON signal and the OFF signal; and a logic gate portion that masks the ON signal in accordance with the pulse stop signal.

Plain English Translation

The switching power supply with pulse skipping that holds the pulse stop signal at its suspension level during light loads utilizes a specific switching control circuit. This circuit has: An "on-signal generation" section that creates "on" signals at a constant switching frequency. An "off-signal generation" section that generates "off" signals based on output feedback control. A flip-flop that combines the "on" and "off" signals to create the switching control signal. A logic gate that blocks the "on" signal if the "pulse stop" signal is active, preventing the transistor from turning on during the skipped pulses.

Claim 9

Original Legal Text

9. The switching power supply device according to claim 1 , wherein, in a state where the load is heavier than the second threshold, the on-pulse stop circuit puts the pulse stop signal to a logic level taken at a time of cancellation of pulse suspension such that the number of ON pulses of the switching control signal is not reduced.

Plain English Translation

A switching power supply regulates output voltage and includes an "on-pulse stop" circuit that reduces the number of "on" pulses of a switching signal when the load is between two thresholds. When the load is heavier than the second threshold, the "on-pulse stop" circuit holds the pulse stop signal at its level from when pulse suspension was cancelled. This deactivates the pulse skipping, ensuring that all "on" pulses are generated to meet the heavy load demands.

Claim 10

Original Legal Text

10. The switching power supply device according to claim 9 , wherein the switching control circuit includes: an on-signal generation portion that generates an ON signal at a predetermined switching frequency; an off-signal generation portion that generates an OFF signal by means of output feedback control; a flip-flop that generates the switching control signal in accordance with the ON signal and the OFF signal; and a logic gate portion that masks the ON signal in accordance with the pulse stop signal.

Plain English Translation

The switching power supply with pulse skipping that holds the pulse stop signal at its cancellation level during heavy loads utilizes a specific switching control circuit. This circuit has: An "on-signal generation" section that creates "on" signals at a constant switching frequency. An "off-signal generation" section that generates "off" signals based on output feedback control. A flip-flop that combines the "on" and "off" signals to create the switching control signal. A logic gate that blocks the "on" signal if the "pulse stop" signal is active, preventing the transistor from turning on during the skipped pulses.

Claim 11

Original Legal Text

11. The switching power supply device according to claim 1 , wherein the switching control circuit includes: an on-signal generation portion that generates an ON signal at a predetermined switching frequency; an off-signal generation portion that generates an OFF signal by means of output feedback control; a flip-flop that generates the switching control signal in accordance with the ON signal and the OFF signal; and a logic gate portion that masks the ON signal in accordance with the pulse stop signal.

Plain English Translation

A switching power supply regulates output voltage and includes an "on-pulse stop" circuit that reduces the number of "on" pulses of a switching signal when the load is between two thresholds. The switching control circuit includes: An "on-signal generation" section that creates "on" signals at a constant switching frequency. An "off-signal generation" section that generates "off" signals based on output feedback control. A flip-flop that combines the "on" and "off" signals to create the switching control signal. A logic gate that blocks the "on" signal if the "pulse stop" signal is active, preventing the transistor from turning on during the skipped pulses.

Claim 12

Original Legal Text

12. The switching power supply device according to claim 1 , further comprising an AC/DC conversion portion that generates the input voltage from an AC voltage.

Plain English Translation

A switching power supply that regulates output voltage, reduces "on" pulses during medium loads with an "on-pulse stop" circuit, now includes an AC/DC conversion section. This section converts an AC voltage into the input voltage required by the switching power supply, making it compatible with AC power sources.

Claim 13

Original Legal Text

13. An AC adapter comprising the switching power supply device according to claim 12 .

Plain English Translation

An AC adapter utilizes the switching power supply that regulates output voltage, reduces "on" pulses during medium loads with an "on-pulse stop" circuit, and includes an AC/DC conversion section. This complete AC adapter solution integrates the power conversion and regulation into a single device.

Claim 14

Original Legal Text

14. An electronic apparatus comprising: the switching power supply device according to claim 1 ; and a load operable by receiving supply of the output voltage from the switching power supply device.

Plain English Translation

An electronic device contains the switching power supply that regulates output voltage and includes an "on-pulse stop" circuit that reduces the number of "on" pulses of a switching signal when the load is between two thresholds. A load within the electronic device is powered by the regulated output voltage from this switching power supply.

Claim 15

Original Legal Text

15. The switching power supply device according to claim 1 , wherein, in a state where the load is lighter than the first threshold, the on-pulse stop circuit puts the pulse stop signal to a logic level taken at a time of pulse suspension such that the ON pulses of the switching control signal are suspended for a plurality of cycles.

Plain English Translation

A switching power supply regulates output voltage and includes an "on-pulse stop" circuit that reduces the number of "on" pulses of a switching signal when the load is between two thresholds. When the load is lighter than a first threshold, the "on-pulse stop" circuit holds the pulse stop signal at its level from when the pulse was suspended. This effectively skips the "on" pulses for several cycles, reducing power consumption in light load conditions.

Claim 16

Original Legal Text

16. The switching power supply device according to claim 1 , wherein, in a state where the load is heavier than the second threshold, the on-pulse stop circuit puts the pulse stop signal to a logic level taken at a time of cancellation of pulse suspension such that the number of ON pulses of the switching control signal is not reduced.

Plain English Translation

A switching power supply regulates output voltage and includes an "on-pulse stop" circuit that reduces the number of "on" pulses of a switching signal when the load is between two thresholds. When the load is heavier than the second threshold, the "on-pulse stop" circuit holds the pulse stop signal at its level from when pulse suspension was cancelled. This deactivates the pulse skipping, ensuring that all "on" pulses are generated to meet the heavy load demands.

Classification Codes (CPC)

Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.

Patent Metadata

Filing Date

September 3, 2015

Publication Date

May 23, 2017

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Switching power supply device